Read the stories of benefits in the local communities from the work of Good Neighbors.

High school youth group members join to repair homesFamilies whose homes are in need of repair but cannot afford the cost have a friend in Good Neighbors and the summer Youth Workcamp. Founded in 1991, Good Neighbors is a faith-based nonprofit organization based in Kennett Square that helps fix up homes that badly need help to make them warmer, safer and drier. During the summer, the group hosts a camp for high school students who are engaged in the repairs for what is often the hottest week of the year.

Good Neighbors Home Repairs recently expanded its services into northern New Castle CountyGood Neighbors has served southern Chester County for 24 years. With its recent expansion into northern New Castle County, (Harold) Naylor believes the group has taken the perfect next step. “We looked at a map where Chester County butts up against it and realized northern New Castle County fits perfectly,” he says.Homeowners qualify for Good Neighbors’ services if they live at or near poverty level and are current on their property taxes, mortgage and insurance payments. “There are no age or religious requirements,” he says.

New furnace makes home safe for mother and child (a Share the Warmth story)Mrs. Todd lost her husband in a tragic accident when their daughter was still an infant. Mom and daughter found themselves under mounting bills nearly seven years later and an unsafe home due to a dangerously malfunctioning gas furnace. Depleted savings and a dire situation made Good Neighbors and Share the Warmth her last resort.

​Mom and 10 children can still call house their home (a Share the Warmth story)Sue was living in a large home with her husband and 10 children. As a dedicated stay-at-home mom, Sue homeschooled each child in her large family. After her husband’s unexpected death, Sue did her best to maintain the home while raising her kids on her own, but unaddressed home repairs were mounting. Electrical and plumbing problems were becoming an issue, and the chimney was ready to collapse.

‘Share the Warmth’ program helps a family get a home makeover (a Share the Warmth story)Mary is a single mom with four kids, one of whom has congenital heart and liver problems. After years of dealing with medical bills and a recent divorce, she moved in with her parents. Mary’s father was unable to work due to a recent back injury leaving her mother as the only source of income. An army of 15 Good Neighbors volunteers worked nonstop for a full week to put on a new roof, siding and deck, plus finished out a new bedroom inside the home, all at no cost to the family.

Hope found after home restoration(a Share the Warmth story)Joe is a motorcycle enthusiast who loved to ride, until a tragic accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. He lived alone in an old two-story house with one bathroom located on the second floor. The steep medical bills prevented him from hiring a contractor to resolve the bathroom issue. Joe contacted Good Neighbors and they were able to quickly install an ADA approved bathroom and shower on the first floor. They painted the interior and exterior of the house, constructed an exit ramp, and replaced the garage roof. Joe was thrilled with his “new” house and said he finally had hope for the first time after his accident.